iFit

Well the iFit memory stick plugs into a slot in the console and you select programs from it using the up and down arrows beside the slot. It's programs are divided into segments like the other programs except it also has a voice that coaches you along. Unfortunately the voice on my chip is in a foreign language which I don't understand!

Now here is the saddest thing you are probably going to read: That is, that you probably will not lose any weight using a treadmill, or jogging or walking either. You might lose a pound or two at the start but will soon gain it back again. You will, however improve your energy level and your cardiovascular system. The only way to lose weight is to eat less. The way to gain weight is to eat apple pie and ice cream, chips and gravy, etc.

the console

Above shows the console when using the manual mode. The matrix at top shows going around a jogging track. The blue and green below that shows the intensity of the workout. At the left, the angle, also doubles at the pulse readout. Then we have time elapsed, distance covered, and the last display is also a double, the speed as well as the calories burned.

Above shows the console when using one of the four program buttons. The matrix shows the segments of the workout, usually 30 one-minute segments which change in angle and speed. The time here shows how many minutes to finish the particular program.

The four programs are Wt. Loss, which is just slow slogging to burn calories. Aerobic, which gets you huffing and puffing. Perform, and Endure, which adjust the speed and incline to keep your heart rate at the target value you set. There's also four buttons on the right side which have to do with creating your own custom workout.

Next I will try out the memory stick, which contains the iFit workouts.

a few things

It's easy to put the treadmill into it's storage position, shown above. You just lift the end and it will click in place. You can then tilt it onto the wheels and move it easily.

When you use it manually you only need to press start and the belt will start moving at a slow pace. You can then push any button from 1 to 12 to speed up or press the up down arrows which change the speed at small increments.

The percent incline is also electrically operated and works much the same way with the buttons and the arrow keys.

I thought I was going to listen to the radio while working out, but the machine emits so much interference as to completely blank out the radio.

In case you're wondering about power usage, I plugged it into my a-c amp-meter just to find out. What I found out was that at slow speed it barely moves the needle off zero. It's only when you get above 5 m-p-h that you see the needle start to move and at full speed it is using 8 amps.

And where is it made? Well it says Assembled in the U-S from Domestic and Imported Components.

About the so called cushion. This is just a sliding wedge that goes between the track base and the frame. As you move it back the base can flex more giving some spring.

More coming up...

Arrival

It arrived today in a formidably large and heavy half-crate half-cardboard box that didn't quite stand up to it's long journey and many loadings and unloadings no doubt. The cardboard was barely attached in places and the innerds could be seen through the rips.

However no damage was noticed to the machine itself and all the pieces seemed to be there.

I decided to set it up in a sun-room attached to the workshop rather than wrestle it into the house, but that was a hard enough job getting it there. Although it has wheels to roll it, it had to be turned on it's side to get it through narrow openings, but it wasn't happy about sliding on it's side.

But I finally got it there and put it together. The bolt holes all lined up OK. The trick is not to tighten any bolt the last three turns until you have all the bolts started. Putting in the Phillips screws that hold the console on was harder, due to working upside down, but I finally managed it. It says you should have two people, and that would probably be a good idea if you didn't kill each other first out of exasperation.

Well it was now evening and I plugged it in and it worked. I used it manually just trying the speed and the climbing angle. Even though it goes 12 mph 3 mph was as fast as I was able to go so far.

It was quiet enough with just squeeks and groans coming from it that varied with the speed. More later, have to read the instruction manual.